Croatia rise to fourth in latest Fifa ranking

Croatia have leapt to fourth in the latest Fifa world ranking, up five places, while Spain have consolidated their No.1 position with their 1-0 win over 18th-placed France despite drawing 1-1 with Finland.

England have dropped to seventh after drawing with Montenegro while Portugal have made the jump into the top five by climbing two spots with a win and a draw in March.

Argentina and Germany maintain their grip on second and third respectively, while Colombia sit stationary in sixth despite losing to Venezuela in Conmebol World Cup 2014 qualification.

Italy have slipped three spots to eighth and fellow European competitors Netherlands also dropped, albeit only by one place, to ninth.

Ecuador sit ahead of Russia, Cote d'Ivoire - the highest CAF nation - and Greece in 10th, while Mexico are the best-placed Concacaf entrant in 14th.

Asia's highest representative is Japan, but they sit at a surprisingly 29th. World Cup 2014 holders Brazil continue their plummet down the rankings as they drop a spot to 19th after draws with the Azzurri and Fabio Capello's men.

The biggest risers were Kyrgyzstan, who jumped 59 ranks up to 142nd, while Georgia and Northern Ireland dropped 22 ranks to 91st and 119th respectively.

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